Chapter Thirteen

Sonny

"He came at me."

Kelly speaks while slouching on the chair without a care in the world. Principal Montgomery tries his hardest to maintain his composure; he is not buying anything she is saying.

The whole scenario looks well played out.

1. Kelly is expected to break the rule of conduct.

2. Winds up in here on that chair she's currently sitting on next to me with a lousy explanation that the principal doesn't care for.

3. and Final stage. He punishes her and oops there is a fourth - Life goes on.

Once again how did I end up here in the first place? Oh yes I punched another guy on her behalf, Robert's so going to hold this over my head even though I had no choice in the matter. Kelly, though a good punch thrower is, 5'2. Aaron was going to hurt her. Definitely not something I was going to wait and find out.

"Mr. Davis. I'm going to have to call your dad and explain to him. I apologize for Kelly's behavior."

What?

"We understand you didn't want to be involved. We at this school acknowledge that..."

I'm a bit confused then I remember my dad's habit of writing down checks whenever he feels it adequate. He had to donate a sufficient amount of money for me to be enrolled here given my tainted image.

Not only do I get to be the guy who ran away from the responsibility of being involved in an accident that ended his best friend's life now I have to get special treatment at my new school. Talk about privilege.

"Kelly was not to blame."

"Sonny you don't have to defend her. Unfortunately we have been through a lot of her escapades, this is nothing new. We will award a fitting punishment."

"Hey are you listening to me! Kelly did nothing wrong."

There is a staggering silence. Kelly starts to sit up straight obviously surprised by this turn of events. One can tell she has never had anyone defend her and that's doing something to her.

"What?" Principal Montgomery is shocked.

"Aaron was agitated, erratic and unpredictable. He even called her names... Kelly did hold off for as long as she could even longer than I probably could have... "

*****

Kelly follows me down the corridor. "What was that?"

"It was the truth."

"The principal had exonerated you of all wrong doing and you just had to do the right thing. You might as well have told him Aaron is a druggie and I'm his dealer."

"Wait. Are you mad at me?"

"I'm saying for the third time mind your d*mn business."

She never ceases to amaze me.

"Oh okay I get it... I get it now. You're Kelly Martins, the bad girl and should anyone find out you are anything but, the world would explode."

She looks at me with nothing but wrath but I don't care anymore. I'm going to get in her business and pay the consequences later. I'm going to get in her business because I can't help it. I want to 'help it' but I genuinely can't.

"I saw you... You didn't want to fight Aaron. You just didn't. I have also seen you finish your assignments in time, obeying deadlines, scoring high on side projects and while we at it please tell me you don't have dreams you want to follow ? I dare you."

I wait for it; one can only assume an incoming slap. She pulls her bag straps down and says, rather lowly, "whatever" I'm a bit surprised.

Okay. I wasn't expecting that.

She's leaving. "Wait." did I just speak.

"I have a couple of notes from the three days you missed class. If you have any questions you can ask me during our next session." I pull out the notes I have been carrying around. "And some college application forms." I watch her hopefully. She looks at me like she wants to throw the papers in my face but instead goes on and takes them from me.

Phew.